Congressional Republicans Probe Foreign Funding Ties at Nine U.S. Universities

A group of congressional Republicans is investigating foreign entities aligned with the Chinese Communist Party and their funding ties to American universities. The inquiry centers on nine institutions that received substantial sums from sources linked to U.S. adversaries, according to a Department of Education report.

The lawmakers sent letters to the universities on Thursday requesting details on transactions with counterparties of concern. The letters state that American universities conduct highly sensitive research with direct military applications and express concern that countries of concern could gain access through gifts and donations.

"As you know, American universities conduct highly sensitive, critical research with direct military applications," the lawmakers wrote in a joint statement. " The Department of Education report found that 34 institutions received hundreds of millions of dollars from foreign entities with links to American adversaries.

Specific amounts include $224.5 million received by the University of California, Berkeley from China, $368.6 million received by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from China, $27.5 million received by the University of California Irvine from China, and $64.5 million received by the University of Arizona from China.

The nine universities contacted are Bryant University, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Arizona, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of California Berkeley, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Portland State University, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and University of California Irvine.

The letters ask for information regarding various alleged transactions made with counterparties of concern, including organizations with ties to adversaries. Congressional Republicans have cited instances of potential espionage and intellectual property concerns at U.S. campuses.

During a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing in March, one of the lawmakers referenced multiple incidents from last summer. These included charges at the University of Michigan involving students, employees, and faculty for conspiracy and smuggling-related crimes, as well as reports of foreign nationals approaching students at Stanford to share research by traveling to China.

The Daily Caller reached out to the universities for comment. To ensure the safety of the American people and uphold U.S. national security interests, sensitive research and technology must stay out of the hands of our adversaries, the joint statement added.